ifec newsletter
Late Summer 2020
President’s Letter
Dear IFEC Friends,
When Patty Fitzgerald, the editor of School Nutrition, asked me in 2017 to consider running for the IFEC Board of Directors, I was a little hesitant. Three years seemed like a long term, and I asked myself if I was knowledgeable enough to be part of IFEC leadership. After all, I had only been part of the organization for a few years and felt like I was still getting to know the other members. I certainly had no idea that three short (and, yes, they felt short!) years later, I’d be serving as IFEC president—and during the mess that is 2020, of all times! I may have been uncertain at first, but it’s turned out to be a rewarding experience, both personally and for my career.
If you’ve ever considered running for IFEC’s Board—or even if, like me, the thought had never crossed your mind—then consider this email an official ask from a fellow member. Now, more than ever, IFEC needs people who are willing to step up to support the organization, whether or not they’ve been part of IFEC “long enough.” Fresh ideas are not only welcome, they’re encouraged. If you have any questions about serving, feel free to reach out to me at kelseycasselbury@gmail.com.
In a perfect world, we would all be gearing up for IFEC in Santa Barbara. Instead, we’re making the best of the situation and preparing for IFEC-to-Go. The event might look a little different this year, but you’re bound to still find value in the offerings. There are still sponsorship opportunities available—because IFEC-to-Go is a consolidated, virtual event, there are fewer options, but that doesn’t mean we’re not counting on your support to provide a meaningful event this year. The smaller sponsorship opportunities are more meaningful than ever. If you’re considering hosting a presentation during the virtual event, here’s a tip: There’s a thirst for tangible items, so consider sending swag or samples to the IFEC membership for extra visibility.
Amazingly, there are only a few months left in the year that sometimes seems like it will never end. When you’re focusing on your end-of-the-year career goals, don’t forget that IFEC is here to help.
Kelsey Casselbury
Contributing Editor, School Nutrition
IFEC President
The IFEC Board needs you!
We’re looking for enthusiastic members with leadership skills, an understanding of and passion for IFEC, and an interest in contributing their time and energy to help enhance its value to members. Sound like you or a colleague? We encourage you to nominate people you think would be good board members or throw your own hat in the ring or both. Elections will take place electronically (if you prefer to mail in your ballot we WILL accept those as well) in the last week of October.
What is expected of a board member?
• Serve a 3-year term
• Attend two board meetings a year:
• Spring: During the NRA Show in Chicago in May, Monday morning, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
• Fall: During the annual conference, either the last evening or the next morning
• Newly elected board members will start their term January 1 but are highly encouraged to attend the Fall board meeting (to be held on Zoom in early November)
• Take a leadership role by keeping informed of IFEC programs, supporting initiatives, helping develop industry support, contributing to long-range planning and leading/advising committees
• Keep informed of and advocate for the memberships’ interests
MANY thanks to our sponsors to date for IFEC To Go
Diamond
Idahoan Foods
National Honey Board
National Peanut Board
Gold
California Avocado Commission
Hershey Foodservice
Idaho Potato Commission
Silver
California Walnuts
Speaker and Panel Sponsors
Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute
California Walnuts
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
National Honey Board
National Mango Board
National Watermelon Promotion Board
Reser’s Foodservice
Trend Session Sponsors
American Egg Board
California Milk Advisory Board
Banner Ad
Idahoan Foods
Pacific Northwest Canned Pear Service
Swag for Editors
National Peanut Board
Zoom Sponsors
National Watermelon Promotion Board
Please consider a sponsorship of some level to support IFEC. Click here to sign up.
IFEC To Go – IFEC’s fall virtual event with Office Hours
Register early to insure you are on the distribution list for snail mail packages and tasting kits. There will be a cut-off date of October 5th to insure that there is adequate lead time to prepare for shipping. Also office hours selections will need to be made by that date to make sure we have time to finesse the final schedules. Register here, make sure you are logged in as a member.
October 27, 2020 Agenda
Agenda subject to change. All times listed are Eastern Standard Time. 15-20 minute breaks are built in between each session. All attendees are encouraged to participate in all sessions.
12:00– 12:45 Welcome/Keynote sponsored by California Walnut Board
Aaron Noveshen, founder and CEO of Starbird Chicken and The Culinary Edge “Pandemic-Proof Model”
Restaurants are responding to consumers leaning into tech not only for convenience but safety amidst COVID-19. Starbird performed extremely well during the COVID era due to its quick response to the crisis, plus its already-established frictionless customer experience that leveraged technology. Coupled with better, higher-quality ingredients, it’s a recipe for success. Other brands are now trying to catch up. What’s on the horizon for mobile and online ordering, as well as pickup, and delivery?
1:00pm California Milk Advisory Board Trend Session
2:00 STATE of the INDUSTRY Panel
Moderator: Sam Oches, Editorial Director, Food News Media
Panelists:
Chef Jason Knoll , Vice President of Culinary, Another Broken Egg of America Franchising, LLC
Portland chef and restaurateur Vitaly Paley, Paley’s Place, Imperial, Headwaters, The Crown, and Rosa Rosa
Ron Salzman, Vice President of Foodservice, Reser’s Foodservice
Bridget Wasser, Executive Director, Meat Science, Culinary & Supply Chain, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Brought to you by Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, National Watermelon Promotion Board, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association & Reser’s Foodservice
- Technology
- Food Trends
- Serving Trends
- New Restaurant Practices in New Normal
- How e-commerce will factor into foodservice
- What it will take to survive in a post-COVID-19 world
3:00 pm American Egg Board Trend Session
4:00 pm National Mango Board mixology session with Tony Pereyra of The Spirits in Motion©
4:15 pm MEDIA PANEL “Digital media NOW – who, what, when, where & why” sponsored by National Honey Board
Moderator: Mike Kostyo, Datassential
Panelists: Nicole Duncan, FSR; Patty Fitzgerald, School Nutrition; Liz Grossman, Plate
- Pitching in the era of COVID 2
- Finding the right balance and tone amid the pandemic and other national crisis
- Envisioning the foodservice industry of the future (post-COVID)
- Reality of the Brand Needs Vs. Reality of Newsrooms
- Earned and Paid Trade Opps. for Brands
Office Hour appointments will be scheduled over the following dates: October 28, 29, 30 & November 2.
IFEC’s apps – what you need and why!
For regular use throughout the year you want to have the IFEC app for quick access to key features of the Member Center. The IFEC app is a direct download to your phone or mobile device’s homepage. The app will automatically tie in with the Member Center, allowing you to make changes to your profile, search the member directory, pull up key information, register for IFEC To Go and sign up for sponsorships – all from the ease of your mobile device. Use this link to download the IFEC app: https://mobile.ifeconline.com and add it to your homescreen for easy access. Once you download it take a moment to upload your headshot and update your bio.
The Crowd Compass event app will be available for download on October 16. This is an event only app to be used for the IFEC To Go virtual event. If you have the CrowdCompass app already downloaded on your mobile device, either from past conferences or other events (yeah, we know IFEC is not the ONLY conference you attend) that will still work, you will just need your login info for the 2020 event.
Since IFEC will be entirely virtual the entire format will be run through this app. The good news is that this can also be accessed from a desktop computer and does not need to be downloaded on a mobile device. Watch your inbox for download info and further instruction.
Member News
Congratulations to member Bethany Bell of Quiet Light Communications on the birth of her son Lincoln Russell Bell on August 17, 2020. Lincoln was born with a full head of hair and was 8 lbs 2 ounces & 22 inches long.
Kudos to member Mary Petersen of CAFÉ on their new series of podcasts. The most recent podcast includes an engaging discussion with Bob Eckert, CEO of New and Improved, as he describes a creative process and how it helps individuals, businesses, teams, and schools address their challenges and set a course for a bright future.
The podcast series includes:
1. Mary Petersen, Founder of CAFÉ
2. Chef John Folse, Louisiana’s worldwide ambassador of food
3. Drew Nierporent, Founder of the Myriad Restaurant Group
4. Jack Uldrich, Futurist
5. Chef Keith Taylor, Chef and Businessman
6. Bob Eckert, CEO of New and Improved
Please go to https://cafetalks.libsyn.com and subscribe.
Looking Ahead
Preparing your budgets and calendars for 2021? Make sure to keep the IFEC Conference on your radar. We will be meeting for an in-person event in Annapolis, MD October 25-27, 2021. Our block room rate is an affordable $199 and the proximity to Baltimore and Washington DC airports will provide multiple flight options. We cannot wait to see everyone in-person!
The 2022 conference dates are still TBD.
New member
We’re happy to welcome the latest IFEC member
Amber Kispert-Smith
Catersource/Informa Connect
6908 Innsdale Ave S
Cottage Grove, MN 55016
amber.kispert-smith@informa.com
IFEC CALENDAR
October 16, 2020
Download Day
October 27, 2020
IFEC To Go content day
November 11, 2020
Annual Meeting/IFEC Board of Directors Meeting
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Remember to send you news for the next newsletter to Jen Mac Kay, jen@ifeconline.com. Keeping your name and your business activities on your colleagues’ radar is an easy way to network.
Cheers,
Jen Mac Kay
Executive Director/Newsletter Editor